Will welcome Rahul Gandhi as PM any day, Manmohan Singh says

Apr 6, 2013, 04.46AM ISTTNN

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he was neither ruling himself in nor out of any future race to lead the country.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said he would "any day" welcome Rahul Gandhi becoming PM, while dismissing as useless the criticism of the power-sharing arrangement between him and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

Although along predictable lines, the response is significant because of its timing. It comes against the backdrop of clear signs that Congress leadership is keen to formally bury the suggestion that Rahul may not be keen to be the PM.

Singh's brief remarks come a day after Rahul made a confident appearance before industry leaders in Delhi. He focused on his favourite themes of governance and offered to partner with industry in a speech which signaled a new-found boldness to venture into areas he has so far steered clear of.

The PM, who was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the International Workshop on Green National Accounting for India, praised Rahul's CII speech. "It was excellent", he said when asked by reporters.

Not ruling out 3rd term

Singh's wholehearted endorsement also followed Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's denial - authorized by Rahul - that the young leader has ruled out being a PM contender, as well as indications that the party vice president had the final say in the appointment of new chiefs of state units.

The PM also reiterated his response to questions about a likely third term, saying "I am not ruling it in, I am not ruling it out." He said the question was hypothetical.

However, the formulation is being seen more in terms of a stated position rather than a reflection of intent or rebuttal of the Rahul-for-PM line with sources pointing out that Singh could not have said anything else with a year to go for elections.

Observers pointed out that an incumbent PM ruling himself out much in advance of elections would only invite instability, politicking and debilitating speculation that can only hurt the government.

On the other hand, party sources were confident that Rahul's actions have clearly dismissed any suggestion that he could be a reluctant leader if Congress were to be in a position to form the next government.

His assertive appearance at the CII meeting indicates Rahul's determination to be seen as a leader with well developed views on social, political and economic issues.

Even while speaking at the CII meet, Rahul took care to say that whether he will be PM was not an important question, but did not rule himself out.

Rahul's careful response seems to be rooted in Congress's wariness of the next election being framed as a contest between the leader and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

Information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari made the point saying that BJP is replete with prime ministerial contenders, but Congress leaders did not squabble over posts.

Congress leaders are aware that they will have to walk a tightrope over Rahul's projection as PM as his public articulation can continue to be give rise to questions over his apparent reluctance even if this is more a tactical stance.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi also countered suggestions that Rahul had ruled himself out as PM by referring to such questions as "irrelevant" and "all smoke".

"Rahul Gandhi did not say that. He said that is not important whether he becomes PM or not...He did not say that talk about his becoming PM is irrelevant. He only said his becoming or not becoming PM is not so important," Alvi said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also dismissed as "useless" the debate over two power centres — one being Congress president Sonia Gandhi and another himself. "This is the creation of the media. It is a useless debate," he said.

His brusque remarks may have a message to Digvijaya Singh who had gone public with his views that the dual power centre did not work as the PM lacks authority. Congress distanced itself from his statement and said the formula could be good for the future too.